1965 Ford Mustang – Blue Collar Performer – 253

Originally conceived as a ‘working man’s Thunderbird’, the Ford Mustang would have to be one of the most desired, if not the most desired, American cars on the planet. The first Mustang rolled off Ford’s assembly line back in 1964, and Mustang mania swept through the USA after the fabled pony car went on sale April 17 of that year. Across the USA Ford dealers took a mind boggling 22,000 orders that very first day and, in fact, interest ran so high that in Garland, Texas, the winner among no less than 15 bidders for the same car insisted on sleeping in the dealership overnight, in the car, until his bank cheque was cleared the next day.

The suits at Ford had obviously hit the nail on the head, with Mustang clocking up an amazing world-record sales of 418,812 in its first year on the market, more than four times the expected sales of 100,000. Popularity amongst Ford enthusiasts had indeed reached an all-time high and within three years an estimated 500 Mustang Clubs had formed across the USA alone.
Fast-forward to today and it’s no surprise that the Ford Mustang continues to capture the spirit and look of the original with today’s technology including numerous safety, convenience and comfort features. It’s also no real surprise that prices of US muscle cars have increased in recent years, as global demand by baby boomers purchasing their dream cars continues to grow – especially in countries such as China and Russia – despite recent world-wide economic woes.
What makes the Mustang so attractive is the vast array of performance and body style options that were available at the time, particularly through the muscle car period of the mid-1960s to early ’70s. Ironically though, the Ford Mustang never fell into the category of a true muscle car, which is defined as a high-performance vehicle – generally a mid-size car with a large, powerful engine (more often than not, a V8) and unique trim, intended for maximum acceleration on the street or drag strip, predominantly of American origin, and produced between 1964 and 1971. Muscle cars are distinguishable from sports cars, which are typically smaller two or two-plus-two seaters or GTs, intended for high-speed touring and possibly road racing. High-performance full size or compact cars are excluded from this category, as is the breed of compact sports coupés inspired by the Ford Mustang, typically known as Pony cars, although few would dispute a Boss 429’s credentials – or indeed, a high-performance K-Code such as our featured Mustang – as a muscle car.

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Charlie Sheen’s NASCAR 1966 Mustang convertible on sale

If you had to guess which Hollywood celebrity had a custom-built 1966 Mustang convertible extensively fitted with ex-NASCAR gear and a variety of other track-focused upgrades back in 2006 it would be a tough job. Sylvester Stallone perhaps or maybe even Steven Seagal but you probably wouldn’t have picked wild man Charlie Sheen, however that’s who is responsible for this automotive gem.

The Mustang is no longer owned by Sheen but is on sale in a charity auction and is expected to raise some serious coin. The auction page claims it would cost US$300,000 to build a car like this and while that seems high, the modifications (view below) are very extensive.

Under the bonnet lies a 358-cubic-inch Winston Cup engine, there’s huge Wilwood brakes and a fully upgraded suspension set-up. This Mustang is geared up for some winning. Read the rest of this entry »

Ford sells new first generation Mustang body shells (+video)

Over in the States the Ford Mustang has never lost its appeal and one of the most desirable examples remains the classic, first-generation model.

But not every enthusiast can afford or even find a mint condition 1964-1966 Mustang so Ford is no selling new body-shells of the first-gen model. Available in the coveted convertible body shape the Mustang body shells start at USD$15,000. The bare metal shell uses modern steel and welding procedures, which makes it stronger and more durable than the original ’60s shells.

Naturally there is plenty of work left to do once you have a shell with the powertrain, suspension, brakes, electrics and interior trim all needed to be sourced and fitted. In the States all these parts can be purchased from suppliers, but for those on a budget a rusted-out first-gen Mustang would make for a suitable donor car.

Check out a promotional video for the Mustang body shells below. Read the rest of this entry »

Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 – Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Dodge Challenger T/A – Trans Am Reunion – 238

Between the golden years of 1968 and 1972, the TransAm race series became a major slug-fest as US auto-makers fielded cars that are now widely regarded as being the best of the classic muscle-car breed. We reunite three of the top TransAm contenders.

The Trans American Sedan Series – more usually referred to as TransAm – was first established in 1966 under the aegis of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Originally intended as a manufacturers’ championship, the series encompassed two classes – under and over 2.0-litre – with both classes racing together.

The first race in the new series was at Sebring on March 25, 1966, with 44 cars lining up for the start and the field featuring 35 under 2.0-litre cars.

This first TransAm race was totally dominated by Alfa Romeo GTAs; they finished in four of the first five positions. However, amongst the smaller cars there was also a smattering of larger, V8 racers – a trio of Plymouth Barracudas, three Mustangs, two Chevrolet Corvairs and a single Dodge Dart.

During the course of that first season the majority of the factory support came in the lower capacity class – with entries from Alfa Romeo, Mini Cooper and Lotus-Cortina. Some famous European drivers would front up in these cars, including future F1 world champion Jochen Rindt, Paddy Hopkirk (in a Mini, of course) and even Alan Moffat, who raced a Lotus-Cortina during the early years of the series. Later, even Porsche would get in on the act by persuading SCCA that its 911 was actually a sedan! Read the rest of this entry »

Time-rich artist creating full-size ’69 Mustang from paper

For most of us our artistic paper work skills are limited to folding a crappy dart that always nose-dives to the floor, anything more is too tricky. But it’s amazing what can actually be achieved with paper alone and artist Jonathan Brand is out to prove it.

Brand is a professional artist who likes working with a variety of mediums, but he is most skilled when it comes to handling paper. Turns out that Brand is also a car guy and, like many, is particularly fond of the 1969 Ford Mustang. Bringing his passion for cars and paper together in a way that only a skilled artist can, Brand has set about the task of building the full-scale Ford entirely out of paper. Not just the shell either, this is a full replica including every single part which will be created in paper.

So far, the Brooklyn, New York-based artist has finished the engine, one wheel and tire, and one of the doors. But what is most amazing is the detail, the engine alone is a highly accurate art piece. It’s sure going to be a while before Brand is finished on the iconic pony car but when he’s done, expect it to be a tree-born wonder. Read the rest of this entry »

Win a Pair of Greenlight Muscle Cars models

US model manufacturer, Greenlight Collectibles, currently has an interesting range of 1:64 scale two-car model sets – including the featured pairing of Sam Posey’s Dodge Challenger T/A and Bill Maier’s Ford Mustang GT. All Greenlight Collectibles’ sets come in their own display box, complete with an appropriate diorama.

Thanks to the NZ distributor, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to add this Road Racers set to their model collection. Just click on the link below and answer the following question:

In what year did Sam Posey race a F5000 in the Tasman Series?

Click here to enter the draw

Competition closes on October 15, 2011.

Mustang charity show in Whangaparaoa this Sunday

A couple of years ago the Auckland Mustang Owners club held a charity car show on Auckland’s Whangaparaoa Peninsular  and it was a success. Now the club is set to repeat the formula and will return to the Leisure Centre, Brightside Road, Stanmore Bay for their annual car show next weekend (Sunday 18th September). All proceeds are again going to the Hibiscus Coast Hospice.

Expect to see more than 100 Mustangs from all eras, from the earliest 1964 II to the latest 2012 cars. According to the club there will be convertibles, fastbacks and notchbacks, Supercharged, Fuel Injected, 4 speed, 6 speed, wire wheels, steel wheels & chrome wheels. There will be Mustangs in red, white, blue, yellow and black. Some will be modified others will be stock. Shelby, Roush, and Saleen will be represented and there will be Indy Pace Cars, GT, Boss, Mach 1 and GT500 models. Among the cars will be some of the top classic cars in the country including winners from the last Intermarque Concours d’elegance. Read the rest of this entry »

Classic Restorations turn old Mustangs into the Shelby G.T.350CR

Classically trained American car tuner Classic Recreations has just unveiled it’s latest package for the Mustang named the Shelby G.T.350CR.

The classic car specialists start with an original 1965 or 1966 Mustang, and install a rack and pinion steering system, this is followed by high-performance brakes and a coilover suspension set up. The next upgrades include a limited slip rear differential, a Tremec manual transmission and a sport exhaust system.

It’s under the bonnet where things get really serious with the ‘base model’ fitted with a 7.0-litre V8 engine with 545 hp (406 kW) of grunt. If that engine isn’t scary enough for you, the company will also offer a supercharged version with 645 hp (481 kW) as well as an insane twin-turbo variant with over 1,000 hp (746 kW). Read the rest of this entry »